The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1887-10-25

bureau, L looked at Laura. She lay IN
sound sleep, her calm, sweet face part
ly averted. i gently reused her, had
her sit up, assured myself that she was
thoroughly awake, and then asked:
"'Laura, have you been long asleep?'
"Fully an hour she replied. look
ing at me wonderingly. Has any
thing happened, George
"'Are you sure there is nobody in
the house but ourselves / continued.
"'Who could there be, George? Tell
me what has happened
"Seeing my puzzled expression, she
smiled, looked at me quizzically, and
kissed me. L felt angry with myself
for having walked her. yet glad to have
her sweet companionship.
Laura, began, conscious that L
was about to make very foolish state
ment, Il have just had an experience
that l can not explain. You know
what my views are on the subject of
the supernatural
"She interrupted me with laugh-a
pleasant, girlish laugh that did me
good. Taking my hand in both her
own, she said:
"'Oh, George, really thought it was
something serious. Was it only a
ghost?'
"'Pray be serious, Laura. While /
sat at my desk, few moments ago, a
hand touched me on the shoulder, just
as YOU have done a hundred times.
More than that, Laura, it was your
touch
"'You fancied it, George
"'I felt the touch, Laura, as surely
as feel the pressure of your hands at
this moment There was no deception;
it was not deIusion; a hand touched
me. Who was it? What was it?'
Laura glanced quickly over her
shoulder, as nervous people are apt to
do when alone in the house late at
night.
"'I wonder if the house is haunted?
she queried. laughingly.
81 went to bed; but not to sleep. The
incident, trivial as it may seem, mysti-
fled and worried me-. 1t called for an
explanation, which : could not give.
There was no superstitious fear to it,
my reason rebelIed at any but natu-
raj solution of the mystery, and L ex-
hausted my ingenuity in endeavOring
to reach such a solution. | reviewed
the occurrence over and over again. 1t
is impossible to picture here my un-
speakable amazement, when, touched
upon the shoulder by soft hand.
turned and found behind me-nothingi
The mystery became a part of my
dreams.
"a few nights after this incident oc-
Cured / was again writing at my desk.
A chill air was blowing through the
wire screen at my side. 1t had grown
late, but not later than Ii was nv GUS
tom to work. Without football, voice
or warning, the touch came again upon
the same shoulder and i'm the same
manner. felt it as plainly as ever
felt the touch of a human hand. Quick
as fash turned. rising to my feet to
prevent any possibility of hiding or es-
cape. The room was empty; the door
remained closed as I left it.
"Did you ever turn fiercely to strike
an enemy back of you, and find-noth-
inga Twas not frightened; anger was
the predominant feeling. / was con-
scious of being the victim of shrewd
deception. L felt that this mysterious
presence, this nameless and immaterial
something, was inimical to me. 1 was
eager to materialize it, corner it, un-
derstand il. 1t would have delighted
me to learn that / was the victim of a
practical joke, as that would have
barred the supernatural.
Laura cried. going to the door.
Sin few moments heard the rustic
of her dress on the stairway.
"'What is it, George? she asked, as
she burst eagerly into the room.
Something has touched me on the
shoulder again. replied. What can
it be?'
al wish l knew said Laura, draw
Ing very near 10 me, ana looking ABOUT
the room with a mystified and fright
ened expression. I'm sure can't see
any thing
"'Were you asleep when l Called?
"'No. / was reading
"'Did you hear any thing?'
"'Not a sound. Sit down at your
desk again, George, just as you sal
when the hand touched you. 1 have
an idea
81 did so. bending over as if in the
act of writing.
Laura approached me softly. II
could hear her footballs very family,
and laid her hand just where the mys-
terious touch had come and even more
gently.
"Laurar cried I, springing up. you